Chapter 6

Thank you for your attention (*- -)(*_ _) *bows* I hope you enjoyed it.

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As I stood at the classroom door, I took a deep breath and firmly held the letter containing the secret that my mother had given me.

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Amidst the cherry blossoms dancing in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of the promise written there.

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When my fever finally subsided, I met the red-haired siblings again, and they had completely transformed into lustrous, beautiful young men and women. Ghibli was holding the old dress I had given her, beaming with joy, while Mikaelis watched her with a gentle gaze. As I admired the sight, our eyes met, and Mikaelis, unlike the wary look from our first meeting, smiled softly and quickly made a beautiful bow, as befitting a young noble.

When I had Julius investigate, it turned out that they had indeed been treated terribly by their uncle and aunt. Their mother, while protecting her ailing husband, found it difficult to always protect her children, and Ghibli had her dresses and accessories taken by her cousins who were around the same age.

Eventually, thanks to the quick thinking of Lady Domitrius, they came under the protection of the Latitche family. Lady Domitrius wanted to accompany them, but Lord Domitrius' condition had worsened, and she was staying in the countryside to care for him.

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The current problem is their uncle and aunt.

They were expelled from the Latitche family by my father, the Demon King, but they couldn't forget the sweet taste of power they once had. Thoroughly despised by the current head of the family, they were banned from even seeing them. So, they set their sights on the children they had recently abused. They seem to have developed a grand delusion that if their daughter marries the next earl, they would effectively become the earl's family. They started to cling to Mikaelis, especially.

Of course, they can't enter the Latitche residence, which is my father's castle. My father doesn't want pests like them around, naturally.

However, unlike me, a reclusive lady, Mikaelis is ambitious and energetic, striving to learn as the next earl. She goes to church once a week to pray for her father's recovery. She also goes out of the mansion at other times, and they started to cling to her thoroughly. This information came from Kistaria.

Apparently, a self-proclaimed fiancé even appeared, approaching Mikaelis with a condescending and sweet tone, saying, "I'm your fiancé, so!" while looking down on her sister. Kistaria advises me to avoid such vulgar people, but to treat Ghibli, who is so cute, like that is quite bold. I should meet her and see for myself. Let me make it clear: Ghibli is cute! Super cute! I polished her with my Rose brand and the Latitche family's money, using it like water! I remember how enthusiastic I was about dressing her up. Ghibli, with her innocent nature, was giggling and acting like a little girl, while Mikaelis, who was flustered, was ignored.

"I cannot accept it, Lady Albertina."

"Oh, why not? I think these rose-colored peridot and garnet brooches would suit Ghibli very well."

"It's not a matter of whether they suit her or not... they are far too expensive."

How humble. Our Dora, despite her years of service, has a terrible attitude. On the other hand, this hidden siscon doesn't seem to know the phrase "cute is justice." Is cheap good enough? So, Albertina thought. To find a gift that Ghibli would accept from her stern brother, something beautiful but not expensive.

Instead of gems, she could use colored glass, or high-transparency glass like a certain brand, or processed gemstones called "junk stones" to make them look similar. She could gather small gems to make them look larger. Colored glass can be tinted by adding small amounts of chromium or other metals.

Let's go to the workshop. Julius, being a capable servant, quickly arranged for a craftsman—more like bought the entire workshop and started a business. I was confused, but Kistaria shook her head silently.

"Once Albert spoke with interest, this was already decided."

Kistaria, who hasn't called me "sister" recently, might be at a delicate age.

We are the same age, but I was born a little earlier. Kistaria is more mature, but I know she sometimes appears at social gatherings for young nobles. Why? Because Dora said, "Even Lady Kistaria of the branch family can do it, but Lady Albertina can't," in a nasty tone. Anna looked at Dora as if she were a harbinger of impurity, and the nastiness stopped immediately. Dora is nasty when we are alone. I heard she and her real mother were childhood friends or even milk siblings, but were they really that close? The stories about Mother Christina that I hear from Dora are so filtered with nastiness. Later, I was warned by Julius and Lady Latitche not to get close to Dora. After that, I didn't see Dora anymore, so I casually asked Kistaria, but she gave me a cute smile and deflected. I don't understand. I didn't ask Julius because he is such a capable servant that he scares me. He could commit the perfect crime without even telling my father.

Dora is a nasty person, but it's a shame to lose one of the few people who knew Mother Christina. I want to know what others thought of Mother, not just from Father's perspective. When I complained, Julius looked troubled and said, "Is that the only reason you let her run wild?"

What else could there be? She was nasty, but there was no violence. Yes, well. The discipline and manners were strict, but she became a good example of what not to do. If there were two of her, they would have been a disaster.

Julius, who was slightly annoyed, said with an unusually beautiful smile, "If there are any other young ladies who treat you with concern, I will eliminate them on my own initiative from now on." I recalled Kistaria's deflecting smile, an unusually perfect one. Could my servant be devious?

During this period, the fake high-end jewelry made by clustering junk stones was completed. The design of the base was challenging, but by using materials with strong reflection and sparkle, they made the gems look even larger. High-end glass with a jewelry-like shine was developed. These were explosively popular among lower to middle-class nobles who wanted to look flashy but couldn't afford large gems. When I asked Mother to promote colored glass accessories as a trend to incorporate the colors of lovers or partners, they sold like crazy. Colored glass, though cheap, was boldly used in dresses as bijoux or light stones, turning the world into an era of glass rhinestones. We also developed sequins and started making bead accessories. The Rose brand received so many reservations that dresses were on a waiting list for months, even years.

While the world's civilization is advancing rapidly, I have no regrets.

I will use this money to build a big bath! I heard that in the Domitrius territory, there is a place where hot water boils in a mountain with a strange smell—meaning it's a hot spring! I tried to convince Mikaelis, who didn't fully understand the benefits of beauty and health, to build a spa and resort there. When I first met them, Mikaelis and Ghibli were very thin, but they had regained a healthy, plump appearance. The Latitche chefs, who were constantly at the mercy of the gourmet queen Albertina, made Latitche a culinary paradise, not just the best in the country but on the continent.

When I enthusiastically explained the wonders of the hot spring, Mikaelis finally agreed.

"Since it's a request from Lady Albertina, I will speak to the duke."

Mikaelis was scolded terribly by my father.

My father, looking as if he was high on something, said, "If Albertina wants it, why not do it!?" He is the type who would risk his life to fulfill his daughter's wishes.

Albert's word is more powerful than a crane's.

With my father's enthusiastic support, Mikaelis was pushed into the hot spring development project. Later, I heard that he immediately went to the barely alive Earl Domitrius and secured the development rights, using his wealth to build a large spa resort. I acted cute and said, "I want to go to the hot spring too, Albert-chan!" and got a free pass. I also asked for the road from the Latitche territory to the Domitrius territory to be paved. I don't want a sore bottom from the carriage ride.

Mother seems quite gloomy when she goes on long trips. Even the highest-quality duke's carriage is that uncomfortable.

When I tried a short trip to the neighboring town, my bottom hurt terribly. I made sure to stuff the seats with cotton, add springs, and use rubber for the wheels—though there was no rubber, so I asked Julius to find a rubber tree, rubber animal, or mineral that could do the job. I'm overworking the super servant, and I feel very sorry for Julius.

When I apologized, he said it was very enjoyable, so no problem. Wow, he's a real workaholic.

I really want to find something to make the trip more comfortable.

When I complained about my sore bottom, my brother looked at me with a pitying gaze, as if I were a very fragile person. Recluses are fragile.

I also decided to place Rose brand soaps, toners, and lotions at the spa for promotion. The soybeans cultivated for making miso and soy sauce are processed into tofu, fried tofu, and soy flour, among other things. These could also be used for promotion. The brand is well-known in the capital, so it's time to expand to other towns.

According to Julius, sales are good. Latitche cuisine now includes more tofu dishes. Hot tofu and hot pot are the best on cold days. Mapo tofu is delicious too.

I was so happy and excited that I got dizzy and was carried to bed by Kistaria.

One day, a letter of misfortune arrived.

"Miss, a royal party is being held. 'I don't want to.'"

Who would willingly raise a death flag? I'm not going. I want to be a recluse.

While I was admiring the organza fabric delivered by the craftsman, I was disgusted by the gossip. It's so annoying, it makes me want to throw up.

Kistaria smiled wryly at my sulking face. "Then, let's do it that way," he said, and Julius took the invitation letter.

In society, Albertina von Latitche is known as a tragic young lady who was kidnapped and traumatized as a child. The fact that she was injured during the kidnapping, which is unacceptable for a young lady, is well-known in high society.

The Latitche family is one of the most prestigious ducal families. Moreover, my father, who is currently a powerful duke, has been successful in many businesses, further enhancing the